Brexit would leave UK 'weaker, less safe and worse-off', government report claims

  • Brexit
A government report today warns of the dangers of leaving the EU Credit: PA

Britain would be "weaker, less safe and worse-off" if it votes to leave the EU in the upcoming referendum, a government report will claim today.

Fresh analysis by officials examined all alternatives to EU membership, including the agreements with Norway, Switzerland and Canada, and concluded that all options would carry serious risks if adopted by the UK.

Critics have dismissed the report as a "dodgy dossier".

It follows close behind a previous government paper which warned the UK would face a "decade or more of uncertainty" if it chose to leave, as it would have to renegotiate all its trade deals.

The report, a sign that David Cameron is undeterred by criticisms he is running a negative campaign, also dismissed the possiblity of simply adhering to World Trade Organisation rules as having a negative result.

It is expected to argue that the arrangements other countries have agreed carry none of the benefits of continued EU membership.

David Cameron has been accused of running a negative campaign Credit: PA

Norway, for example, still has to make a significant contribution to EU spending and accept three-quarters of EU laws, without having any veto or votes on the matters.

It also has to accept the free movement of people - a core issue for the EU - and the number of migrants accounts for a higher proportion of the population - six per cent - than in the UK, where is it four per cent.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond praised the "hard-headed analysis", and argued that it showed working people suffering if the country votes "out" on June 23.

But the report failed to sway other leading Conservative figures, with Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith arguing that the "real uncertainty" lay with the EU "project"."As each day passes we see yet another example - from the utter failure to cope with the migrant crisis, to the increasing disaster of the euro," he said.

"This dodgy dossier won't fool anyone, and is proof that Remain are in denial about the risks of remaining in a crisis ridden EU.

"The truth is we won't copy any other country's deal. We will have a settlement on our own terms - and one that will return control of our borders, and money to Britain. That's the safer choice."